Women’s EHF EURO 2024: A Record-Breaking Handball Tournament
The 2024 women’s European Handball Championship, held across Austria, Hungary, and Switzerland, concluded with record-breaking attendance and global media reach, solidifying its position as a major sporting event. The tournament, which saw nearly 200,000 tickets sold across four venues, showcased the growing popularity of women’s handball.
EHF Secretary General, Martin Hausleitner, highlighted the remarkable turnout, stating, ”5,000 fans in Switzerland and 3,500-4,000 fans in Austria were the highest numbers ever for women’s handball matches in those countries, while the arena in Debrecen was sold-out several times, which is normal for Hungary.” He further emphasized the tournament’s international appeal, noting, “And we could recognize again that EHF EURO events attract a more and more international audience, the organisers do not only have to rely on the local markets, as the arenas are an attractive place for handball fans from all over Europe.”
The tournament’s media impact was equally impressive. Broadcast in 110 countries—a 30-country increase from the previous edition—the championship substantially boosted the visibility of women’s handball worldwide. Denmark and Norway saw particularly strong viewership, with market shares between 50% and 60%, and some matches attracting over one million viewers.
Digital engagement also soared, with 220 million contacts and 80,000 new followers across the EHF’s 22 social media channels. A highlight reel featuring a goal by Norwegian player Camilla Herrem garnered an astounding 32 million views. Hausleitner expressed gratitude to sponsors and partners for their crucial support, calling the event a “really successful event.”
Markus Plazer, President of the Austrian Handball Federation, representing the three host nations, expressed his delight with the overall success.He stated, “Players, who gave their hearts on the court, crazy fans on the stands, volunteers and employees and the members of all federations, who gave all to make this event a success. We are highly satisfied with the outcome, this was a great championship in the heart of Europe.” He further emphasized the tournament’s role in promoting women’s handball, saying, “The event was a real push for women’s handball all over Europe,” adding, “But we need many more events like this to boost women’s handball in future.”
The closing ceremony included a symbolic flag handover, signifying the transition to the next Women’s EHF EURO, to be hosted in 2026 by Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Romania, and Türkiye.
# Women’s Handball Achieves New Heights at Record-Breaking Euro 2024
Senior Editor: Welcome back to world Today News. Today, we’re joined by Angela Eriksson, a handball analyst and former professional player, to discuss the remarkable success of the recently concluded Women’s EHF EURO 2024.
Angela Eriksson: its a pleasure to be here.The tournament was truly something special.
Senior Editor: Absolutely. The organization,attendance,and global reach paint a picture of a sport on the rise. What were some of the standout moments for you?
Angela Eriksson: From a purely sporting outlook, the quality of play was exceptional. But I was particularly impressed by the growth in fan engagement – both in the stadiums and online. Seeing those packed arenas in Austria, hungary, and Switzerland was just inspiring, and the digital numbers are staggering. Over 220 million contacts across social media – that speaks volumes about the tournament’s impact.
Senior Editor: The article mentions record-breaking attendance figures. How important is this for the future of women’s handball?
Angela Eriksson: Massive! These numbers show that people are hungry for high-quality women’s sport. For years, women’s handball has been building momentum, and this tournament was a watershed moment. It proves that, with the right platform and exposure, we can attract huge crowds and a truly international audience.
Senior editor: And it seems like the denke digital landscape played a key role in that global outreach?
Angela Eriksson: Absolutely. The EHF’s social media strategy was incredibly effective. They used a blend of live updates, behind-the-scenes content, and engaging video clips to connect with fans worldwide. The fact that Camilla Herrem’s highlight reel garnered 32 million views is astonishing – it shows the power of social media in amplifying the brilliance of these athletes.
Senior Editor: Markus plazer, the president of the Austrian Handball Federation, mentioned the need for more events like this to sustain this growth. What steps can be taken to ensure that momentum isn’t lost?
Angela Eriksson: Continued investment is crucial. We need to see sustained funding for grassroots programs, improved infrastructure, and more support for professional leagues. And, of course, hosting more high-profile tournaments like the women’s EHF EURO will help keep the spotlight on the sport.
Senior Editor: A truly exciting future for women’s handball. Thank you for sharing your insights with us, Angela.
Angela Eriksson: My pleasure.
